McInnes: Scottish ministers glued to their seats on north-east flooding

Scottish Liberal Democrat MSP Alison McInnes today said Scottish ministers are glued to their seats as communities across the North East are forced from their homes due to some of the worst flooding the area has seen.

Properties in Garioch and Formartine were evacuated overnight as the River Don burst its banks and the River Ythan threatened to. Flooding has affected train routes both north and south of Aberdeen, the A90 and A96 trunk roads closed at various locations and Aberdeen Airport has only just reopened for some flights with a temporarily shortened runway after hole appeared in the runway caused by the heavy rain.

Last night Aberdeenshire Council said it faced an “escalating emergency response situation” and put out pleas for any employees able to help to come forward.

Mrs McInnes, who represents North East Scotland and lives in Ellon, one of the towns affected by the flooding, said: “Towns, villages and even Aberdeen have been cut off from one another and from the wider country. Many roads are impassable, trains are not running, schools are closed and power is out.

“After the Scottish Government’s resilience meeting last night, the deputy first minister said the committee was monitoring the situation very closely. But people here do not need ministers who are glued to their seats.

“The councils have been coping as well as they can with some of the worst flooding this area has ever seen but it’s been more than a week since it struck communities in Marr. With the Met Office now issuing warnings for cold temperatures - and snow boots are already needed on the ground - emergency resources are needed urgently.

“The deputy first minister telling us additional funding will be made available to Aberdeenshire Council is welcome in the longer term. But this is an ever-changing emergency situation that requires urgent attention right now and people here are wondering when the Scottish Government is going to sit up and take notice.”

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